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C3 hood ?

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  • Susan Wilborn

    C3 hood ?

    How can I tell if a 1972 small block hood is original to the car? The hood in question has two sets of numbers on the underside. They are: 8901111212345 and 48246.

    Thanks

    Susan
  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43193

    #2
    Re: C3 hood ?

    Susan-----

    The numbers that you mentioned don't have any particular meaning, as far as I know. I expect that they're some sort of manufacturer's ID numbers for the hood panel components. GM NEVER manufactured these hoods; they were always supplied to GM by an outside vendor.

    Anyway, the 1972 small block hood, GM #3996855, is unique to the 1972 model year. Unfortunately, it's not identified by any GM part number permanently affixed to the hood assembly. However, as 1968-72 Corvettes go, the 1972 was the only one that used the articulating style hood prop-up support. Earlier C3s used the telescoping style support. I believe the 2 different style supports attach to the hood at different locations and that's why the 72 hood is different from the very late 69 thru 1971 hoods, which are otherwise the same as the 1972.

    The 3996855 later became the SERVICE hood for 68-71 applications. So, it may have "dual" mounting locations for the hood support, the cross-over cable brackets, and the right side hood latch. I'm just not sure about this. If I'm correct about the different location for the hood support for 68-71 versus 72, then I don't see how the 3996855 could have not had dual mounting locations. Unless, of course, the SERVICE GM #3996855 was different than the PRODUCTION GM #3996855. That would be unusual, but it's possible.

    In any event, if your car has the articulating style hood support, as it should, I would expect that the hood is original or an identical replacement. If an identical replacement was used at some point, either a new SERVICE hood or a used hood off of another 72, then I don't think that they'd be any way to tell if the hood is actually original to the car. But, why would it really matter if the current one is identical to the original?
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

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